Injuries are part of sports, but that doesn’t make missing significant competition time any easier. As the 2025 season approaches, the return of many gymnasts who missed all or most of last season is imminent. While it’s impossible to list every athlete making a comeback, we compiled some of the top names poised to make an impact on their teams upon their return.
Riley McCusker (Florida)
After an elite career with its own share of injuries, McCusker’s clean gymnastics was right at home with Florida in her freshman and sophomore campaigns. She was sidelined in 2024 after suffering a preseason ankle injury that required surgery. She will especially be an asset on bars and beam; she competed bars in nine of 15 meets in 2023 and holds a career-high 9.950 on beam.
Alyona Shchennikova (LSU)
Throughout her collegiate career, Shchennikova has been a staple in LSU’s lineups and relied upon for high scores. While she hasn’t always competed all-around, she consistently performed on at least two events throughout her career and on all four for most of 2023. Shchennikova’s senior season ended before it started, as she tore her Achilles right before the first meet.
Adeline Kenlin (Iowa)
A staple in Hawkeye lineups throughout her college career, Kenlin competed in just…
